Magnetic means for keeping umbrellas closed



Jul}? 1945a In, MONTALVQ 2,405,644

MAGNETIC MEANS FOR KEEPING UMBRELLA$ CLOSED Filed Feb, 14-, 1945 .INVENTOR.

LEONILO NoNTAu/o Patented July 30, 1946 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE MAGNETIC MEANS FOR KEEPING UMBRELLAS CLOSED Claims.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in umbrellas, and has more particular reference to magnetic means for keeping umbrellas closed.

More specifically, the invention proposes magnetic means for holding the ribs of the umbrella when in a closed position, close to the stick of the umbrella.

The dominating purpose of this invention is to hold the ribs of an umbrella closed, when the umbrella is closed to avoid the nuisance of having the ribs tend to open.

The basic invention consists in the use of magnetism to cause a relative attraction of the ribs and the stick of the umbrella. This may be accomplished in many ways, for example by placing a piece of natural magnet, or a small artificial magnet (magnetized magnetic substance) either inside or outside of the stick. A small band, plate, ring or wire of magnetized steel, or of other suitable magnetic substances may be placed around the stick. This magnet will attract the ribs if they are made of iron, steel or other magnetic material. If the ribs are not of magnetic material, attraction may be obtained by placing a small piece of iron, steel or other magnetic substance on, or in the tips of the ribs. This magnetic substance may be in the nature of a small band, a plate, a cap, or may even be incorporated in powdered form.

Another object of the invention is the construction of an article as mentioned which is simple and durable and which may be manufactured and sold at a reasonable cost.

For further comprehension of the invention, and of the objects and advantages thereof, reference will be had to the following description and accompanying drawing, and to the appended claims in which the various novel features of the invention are more particularly set forth.

In the accompanying drawing forming a material part of this disclosure:

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary sectional view of an umbrella constructed in accordance with this invention.

Fig. 2 is another fragmentary sectional view of an umbrella embodying another form of the invention.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary elevational view looking in the direction of the line 3--3 of Fig. 2.

In Fig. 1 a form of the invention has been shown in which the umbrella, has a wooden stick 25 formed with a bore 26 into which a bar magnet 21 is engaged. The bore 26 is closed by a, knob or handle 28. A wooden or other non- 2 metallic rest ring 29 is mounted around the stick 22. The ribs II will be attracted by the magnet 27 and will be drawn against the nonmagnetic rest ring 29.

In Figs. 2 and 3 still another embodiment of the invention has been disclosed in which a bushing 30 of non-magnetic material is slidably mounted on the stick 3| slightl above the top ends of the ribs ll. Resilient means is provided for urging the bushing 30 into a down position. This resilient means comprises an expansion spring 32 coaxially mounted about the stick 3| and acting between a collar 33 fixedly mounted on the stick 3i and the top end of the bushing 30. The bushing 3i! is forced against a rest collar 34 fixedly mounted on the stick 3i below the bushing 30.

A plurality of latches 35 are vertically slidably mounted in the bottom of the bushing 30 and when in their down positions engage outside of the ends of the ribs H for holding the ribs from moving outwards. Each latch 36 connects with a tubular portion 31 which is slidably mounted in bores 38 in the bushing 30. Expansion springs 39 act to urge the tubular portions 37 upwards, and thus act to retract the latches 35. A groove 40 is formed in the bottom face of the bushing 30 into which the latches 36 may engage.

Magnetic means is provided for moving the latches downwards whenever the ribs H are positioned beneath the latches. This magnetic means comprises a plurality of bar magnets 42 mounted within the tubular portions 31 of the latches 36.

The operation of this form of the invention is as follows:

In Figs. 2 and 3 the umbrell is shown in its closed position. Before the umbrella may be opened it is necessary that the bushing 30 be manually moved upwards so that the latches 36 are lifted above the tips of the ribs l I.

Now the umbrella may be opened. The bushing 3 is now released and the spring 32 will move it downwards on the stick 3! until it engages against the rest ring 34. Because the ribs I l are no longer beneath the bar magnets 42, the latches 36 will be in raised, inoperative positions. The springs 39 raise the latches 35.

When the umbrella is closed the tips of the ribs i! will assume positions beneath the magnets 42 which immediately move towards the ends of the ribs i and thus close the latches 35. Now the ribs ll cannot open, for two reasons. First, they are being held by the magnets 42, and moreover, the latches 36 are in their operative positions.

While I have illustrated. and described the preferred embodiments of my invention, it is to be understood that I do not limit myself to the precise constructions herein disclosed and the right is reserved to all changes and modifications coming within the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by United States Letters Patent is:

1. In combination with an umbrella having a stick and ribs positioned around said stick, magnetic means for keeping said ribs close to said stick,

2. In combination with an umbrella having a stick and ribs positioned. around said stick, magnetic means for keeping said ribs close to said stick, comprising magnets and cooperative magnetic substances.

3. In combination with an umbrella having a stick and ribs having outer ends of magnetic material and positioned around said stick, magnetic means for keeping said ribs close to said stick, comprising a magnet mounted on said stick and capable of attracting and holding the ends of said ribs.

i. In combination with an umbrella having a stick and ribs having outer ends of magnetic material and positioned around said stick, magnetic means for keeping said ribs close to said stick, comprising a magnet within said stick and capa bio of attracting said ribs.

5. In combination with an umbrella having a stick and ribs having outer ends of magnetic material and positioned around said. stick, comprising a magnet within said stick and capable of attracting said ribs, and a rest ring mounted on the stick against which the ribs may engage.

6. In combination with an umbrella having a stick and ribs positioned around said stick, a bushing slidably mounted on said stick slightly above said ribs, resilient means for holding said bushing in a down position, latches for holding said ribs from moving outwards and slidably mounted on the bottom of said bushing, resilient means for holding said latches in raised inoperative positions, and magnetic means for moving said latches downwards whenever said ribs are positioned beneath said latches.

7. In combination with an umbrella having a stick and ribs positioned around said stick, a bushing slidably mounted on said stick slightly above said ribs, resilient means for holding said bushing in a down position, latches for holding said ribs from moving outwards and slidably mounted on the bottom of said bushing, resilient aaoaoee means for holding said latches in raised inoperative positions, and magnetic means for moving said latches downwards whenever said ribs are positioned beneath said latches, said first named resilient means comprising a spring coaxially mounted on said stick and acting between a stationary collar and said bushing.

8. In combination with an umbrella having a stick and ibs positioned around said stick, a bushing slidably mounted on said stick slightly above said ribs, resilient means for holding said bushing in a down position, latches for holding said ribs from moving outwards and slidably mounted on the bottom of said bushing, resilient means for holding said latches in raised inoperative positions, and magnetic means for moving said latches downwards whenever said ribs are positioned beneath said latches, said second named resilient means comprising springs coaxially mounted on tubular portions connected with said latches for urging said tubular portions and thus the latches upwards.

9. In combination with an umbrella having a stick and 'ibs positioned around said stick, a bushing slidably mounted on said stick slightly above said ribs, resilient means for holding said bushing in a down position, latches for holding said ribs from moving outwards and slidably mounted on the bottom of said bushing, resilient means for holding said latches in raised inoperative positions, and magnetic means for moving said latches downwards whenever said ribs are positioned beneath said latches, said second named resilient means comprising springs coaxially mounted on tubular portions connected with said latches for urging said tubular portions and thus the latches upwards, and said magnetic means comprising bar magnets mounted in said tubular ortions.

10. In combination with an umbrella having a stick and ribs positioned around said stick, a bushing slidably mounted on said stick slightly above said ribs, resilient means for holding said bushing in a down position, latches for holding said ribs from moving outwards and slidably mounted, on the bottom of said bushing, resilient means for holding said latches in raised inoperative positions, and magnetic means for moving said latches downwards whenever said ribs are positioned beneath said latches, said second named resilient means comprising springs coaxially mounted on tubuiar portions connected with said latches for urging said tubular portions and thus the latches upwards, and said magnetic means comprising bar magnets mounted in said tubular portions, and a rest ring of non-magnetic material against which said ribs may engage.

LEONILO MONTALVO. 

